COCOBOD urges more local intake of natural cocoa
Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has called on Ghanaians to increase their local consumption of natural cocoa as one of the means to reduce the export of cocoa to the world market.
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To make that local consumption effective in the coming years, the government seeks to do 50 per cent of cocoa processing locally to increase consumption.
Currently, per capita consumption of cocoa in Ghana is 0.5 kilos, a figure that COCOBOD says must be increased tremendously.
Ghana is the second largest producer of cocoa, coming after La Cote d’Ivoire on the global market, by producing 850,000 tonnes of cocoa annually.
The Senior Public Affairs Officer of COCOBOD, Mr Benjamin Larweh, stated this at a sensitisation programme held for cocoa farmers in the Mankranso Cocoa District at Ameduma Adankwame in the Atwima Nwabiagya District in the Ashanti Region.
He said cocoa products were capable of improving blood circulation, reducing blood pressure and providing energy and vitality.
According to Mr Larweh, cocoa contains one of the most powerful anti-oxidants and ingredients that minimise discomfort and pains associated with monthly menstruation, fights stress and boosts sexual desires and performance.
Research, he noted, had shown that there were uncountable health benefits of natural cocoa and called on all to consume it.
He noted that many people spent huge bills on medications for sicknesses and said consuming cocoa would help cut those financial burdens on a number of Ghanaian families.
Payment of $400 on behalf of farmers
Mr Larweh said since the price of a tonne of cocoa at the global market declined, COCOBOD had been supporting cocoa farmers by buying a tonne of cocoa locally at the same price.
He recalled that before October 2016, the price of a tonne of cocoa (16 bags) was $3,100 and COCOBOD was buying a tonne of cocoa from Ghanaian farmers at GH¢7,600 (GH¢475.00) per bag.
Currently, he said, the price for a tonne of cocoa at the global market had declined to $1,900 and instead of also reducing the buying price from farmers, COCOBOD was still buying a tonne of cocoa at GH¢7,600 and commended the management of COCOBOD for the decision.
That, to him, meant COCOBOD was paying the difference of $400 per tonne of cocoa at the global market on behalf of cocoa farmers and management deserved commendation.